WESTON, Mass. — One of the most decorated swimmers in WHS history, Nyle Linnard is the epitome of a dedicated athlete who loves his sport. He is known for his speed on top of the water with powerful strokes and a high stroke rate. Having joined the Red Tide in his freshman year, Nyle’s four years have been filled with extraordinary accomplishments, including the 200 Medley Relay freshman and Weston pool record holder and the DCL, North Sectional and State Champion, the 50 Freestyle freshman record holder and 2nd place winner at States, and the 200 Freestyle Relay Weston pool record holder and State Champion.

To put it in a nutshell, Nyle is a four-time DCL All Star and an 11-time MA D2 State medalist, a 10-time Boys North Sectional medalist, and a 10-time DCL medalist. Topping off his last season as a Tide team member, Nyle became only the 25th male 1000-point scorer in Weston’s history.

Interview with Nyle Linnard

What are your personal goals within your sport?

Nyle Linnard: “At States, I wanted to swim my personal best times in my individual events and help win the two relays in which I competed. I also wanted to help lead my team towards winning the State Championship. I am proud to say that I have now accomplished these goals!”

What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?

Linnard: “There are countless challenges that arise every day I race. For instance, some pool decks can be very hot and dry, which can lead to dehydration, and others can be very cold, leading to intense muscle stiffness. To mitigate the effects of whatever may pop up, I only focus on what I can control – my physical preparation and my mindset – and my team. By focusing on myself and my teammates, any challenges that arise do not affect me.”

What was the best advice you were ever given?

Linnard: “Be patient and trust the process. As a freshman, I remember feeling frustrated by not seeing the results I wanted. My coaches told me that, if I was patient and followed their guidance, I would experience massive time drops, which I eventually did.”

What do you love about your sport?

Linnard: “I love that a swim race is such a complete effort. Swimming works every part of your body, so when trying to exert yourself fully in the water you are pushing every part of your body to its limit. On top of this, in order to perform one’s best, it is not only the body that has to be perfectly trained, but also the mind.”

Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.

Linnard: “Early on in my swimming career, if a race did not go the way I had hoped, I would let it impact me for the rest of the meet. Eventually, I realized that, even if I made a mistake, I should not let it define the rest of that race or other races. This change in my mindset resulted in me becoming a much more consistent swimmer.”

What has being a member of a team taught you?

Linnard:  “Being a member of the Red Tide has shown me that a culture and tradition of support, good sportsmanship, and relentless hard work contributes more to a team’s success than any one swimmer ever could.”

Anything else you’d like to add?

Linnard: “There are few teams that are as intensively focused on hard work, teamwork, and respect as the Tide. I am so fortunate to have had Coaches Valle and McLaughlin support me and the team in every way with unwavering dedication. In addition, Assistant Coaches Gavin, Monz, and Jakubowski were paramount to my progression as an athlete. . . . Thank you, Coaches!”

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